Polling shows the vast majority of Australians want a fair return for their gas.
Unions, community groups, charities, crossbench MP's and business leaders are calling for a gas export tax.
Research by The Australia Institute reveals that if the Albanese Government had introduced a gas export tax after it was first elected, it would have raised more than $70 billion by now.
The research also shows that:
- More than half the gas exported from Australia is given away royalty-free.
- The Japanese government collects more tax from Australian gas exports than the Australian government.
- Enough gas to supply Australian homes and businesses for more than 20 years has been used in gas exports in the past 5 years, while Australians have been threatened with shortages.
- Allowing unrestricted gas exports from the east coast of Australia has resulted in domestic wholesale gas prices more than tripling and electricity prices doubling.
- Australian beer drinkers pay more in beer excise than the gas industry pays in Petroleum Resource Rent Tax.
"It's not clear why the government won't impose a 25% tax on gas exports, but what is clear is that they are not in a hurry to do it," said Leanne Minshull, co-CEO of The Australia Institute.
"That is why we are calling on the government to hold a plebiscite on the question. "It is nonsense to suggest Australia's liquid fuel security is somehow dependent on giving our gas away for free.
"Ordinary Australians are fed up. Just look at the comments every time the Prime Minister posts something on social media. Comments on social media posts should not be the only way Australians can get through to the parliament, that is why we are calling for a plebiscite.
"A flat 25% gas export tax, as suggested by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, could raise more than $17 billion a year.
"The government is taking tens of billions of dollars worth of supports off Australians living with disabilities.
"This is an issue which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of Australians and their government is not listening."
Sign the petition here.
